Best Practices for Creating Videos 

CASTLES: Best Practices for Instructional Videos

Use CASTLES to plan and record: Clear, Audience, Script, Time, Lighting, Environment, Sound.

Clear
Speak at a measured pace and articulate each point. Avoid filler and jargon unless your audience expects it.

Audience
Decide who you are speaking to and tailor your examples, tone, and vocabulary to that group.

Script
Draft bullet points or a short script in preparation. This keeps the video focused, on topic, and well organized.

Time
Short and concise wins. Aim for under three minutes, or split longer topics into a short series.

Lighting
Record in a bright space with light facing you. Avoid strong backlight that leaves your face underexposed.

Environment
Choose a tidy, distraction-free background. Set the camera at eye level and keep it steady.

Sound
Audio quality carries the message. Test mic placement and levels ahead of time. Minimize background noise and rustling from clothing or jewellery. If your headset or built-in mic sounds poor, consider an affordable desktop mic such as the HyperX SoloCast or Razer Seiren Mini. They often go on sale for about $50 CAD and can be paired with an inexpensive microphone boom arm for better positioning.